Voter Frustration Is Understandable but Misdirected

It’s easy to understand why so many Americans are dissatisfied with the political process. The recent squabbling over tax cuts is a prime example of election-year posturing by Democrats and Republicans. Both sides seem less concerned with the public good than with hurting the other party in the November election. (See “White House, Dems see tax cut vote after election,” http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/us_tax_cuts. )

Unfortunately, voters’ frustrations and fears are being manipulated by groups who support the neoconservative policies that drove many moderates (including me) from the Republican party. The Tea Party movement, which includes some well-intentioned people with legitimate concerns about fiscal policy, has been hijacked by right-wing shills like Glenn Beck.

http://politics.usnews.com/opinion/articles/2010/09/23/glenn-beck-the-tea-party-and-whats-behind-government-backlash.html?PageNr=1
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-09-13/tea-party-power-comes-from-right-wing-media-will-bunch-argues/
http://www.politico.com/blogs/michaelcalderone/0909/Fox_producer_rallied_tea_party_protesters.html